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To Get Out of Debt, Start Small

The bills are piling up in the corner of your desk, and it seems that every day the mail brings a new stack to deal with. Although the collection agencies haven’t started calling yet, you know that it is only a matter of time before they do. You want to get out of debt and get back on track, but the whole thing seems so overwhelming. Fortunately, it really doesn’t have to be. Just start small and go from there. Most financial advice about debt will guide you toward paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first. This … Continue reading →

Save Now for Summer

It may be hard to think about summer when there is snow in the forecast and we haven’t even hit January. Even so, I suggest that you do think of summer, because if you plan ahead now, you will save later. Swimwear Believe it or not, some stores will start putting their swimwear out on the floor as soon as the Christmas season is over. In fact, we haven’t even hit Christmas, and I’ve already seen bikinis in department stores. Take advantage of this to get some advanced sales on brand new swimwear. After Christmas, use those gift cards you … Continue reading →

Vacation Budgeting

Can you afford to get in one more family trip during the upcoming Labor Day weekend? According to AAA, 33 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home during the holiday weekend, despite the fact gas prices are hovering near the $4 mark. Clearly, budgeting for gas is a huge factor for families looking to hit the road on a final summer fling, but it isn’t the only financial element to consider. Crunching numbers can provide a major reality check when it comes to vacation planning. However, by doing the math before you leave home, you can … Continue reading →

Monthly Budgeting

I’ve always been pretty good with money. From the time I was little I was never one to rush out and spend what little money I had. I’d save all my pennies until I had enough for what I really wanted and then I’d start saving for the next thing on my list. Now as a single parent sticking to my budget has become even more important. For most of us there is very little money left over at the end of the month. Saving can be a real challenge when there is nothing left to save. Bills have to … Continue reading →

Does Budgeting Actually Cost You More Money?

Do you have a budget? Everyone says it is the best way to take control of your spending. Once you have spent your allotted amount for food, or gas, you’re done. Unfortunately it doesn’t always work like that. I read a study recently that said that people who have a budget can spend as much as 50% more than they were planning. This is said to be because budgeting starts in your mind. You are thinking constantly about what you can and cannot spend and that is what causes you to spend more. Many people who say they have a … Continue reading →

Budgeting on a Limited Income

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Whether you are a single parent, a student, retired or have other income situations, learning to live on a limited income can take some serious hard work. We should all have a budget, but if your income is tight… it is even more of an urgent need. When budgeting on a limited income, the key is to prioritize first. You simply might not have enough money to pay for all the standard budgeting categories. The first step will be to make a short list of your top necessities. Good examples are housing, food, utilities and transportation. There may be more, … Continue reading →

Want to Start a Family in 2008?

Many childless couples worry they can’t afford to have children. Looking at cost estimates in our current economy of $200,000 to $500,000 to raise one child for 17 years it is no surprise. Certainly having a child is a huge expense, but so is buying a home or saving for your retirement. If you sincerely want children, don’t let cost hold you back. Instead, use smart money management and good budgeting to allow you to invest in your bundle of joy. While most families don’t think ahead about money matters when they have kids, it is certainly beneficial to do … Continue reading →

Budgeting for a First Home

Do you want to buy your first home, but have too much debt? An overload of debt can hurt your ability to buy a home in many different ways: cash flow, credit score and loan approval. If you desire the opportunity to buy a home, try this plan to help you get there. Start by first determining the amount of money you will need to borrow in order to buy a home in your area. Basically preview the prices of homes you think you could be satisfied with, and deduct any amount you have saved for a down payment. Then … Continue reading →

Budgeting Software Options

When it comes to money management and computer software two programs quickly come to mind: Microsoft Money and Quicken. While these programs are good, I have used both of them, I still find that there are things that I wish I could change about the programs. If you feel this way it may mean that it is time to start thinking outside of the computer budget box. One option that you can do is create your own zero dollar budget online using Excel. If you do this you should have a basic understanding of spreadsheets and what you can accomplish … Continue reading →

Start Budgeting Now!

Budgeting is long time consuming process, especially when you first begin. It can be emotionally draining because it forces you to evaluate how you are spending and saving money. Many people dread budgeting because it makes them feel restricted and poor. Others may not budget because the entire thing is so overwhelming that they do not know where to begin. While it may take a little bit of work at the beginning, budgeting really is not that much more time consuming than balancing your checkbook. It allows you the freedom of how and when to spend your money. You will … Continue reading →